Mammal Center cites harm if people touch young sea mammals

A young elephant seal rests next to a driftwood log at Chimney Rock in West Marin near Inverness. Marine Mammal Center officials are warning people not to touch the pups.
Alan Dep – Marin Independent Journal

Human interaction with young sea mammals on Marin and other state beaches is a problem each year, and Marine Mammal Center officials are now reminding people to stay away from the pups.

Seal pups — in particular harbor seals — can suffer permanent harm if they are moved or if their mothers are scared off, scientists say.

“People need to keep their distance,” said Dr. Abby McClain of the mammal center, noting Drakes Beach in West Marin is an area where interaction often occurs. “If the pups know you are there you are too close. If you want to take pictures, use a zoom lens.”

Each year the center gets dozens of reports of human interactions with pups. In 2012 there were 46 cases; in 2013, 52; 2014, 75; 2015, 121; 2016, 40; 2017, 59; and this year there have been 20 through April. The high numbers in 2014 and 2015 were anomalies because of a high number of patients in those years, center officials noted.

“While these are the reported cases that the center documented, in reality, the number of negative human interaction cases each year is likely much higher,” said Giancarlo Rulli, center spokesman.

To ensure there are no disturbances, visitors are asked to stay at least 100 yards away from resting seals. Visitors should never pick up a seal pup that may look abandoned. Although a seal may appear alone and may sound as if it is crying out, most often it is waiting for its mother to return.

Point Reyes National Seashore has the largest mainland breeding colony of harbor seals in California. Resting and pupping harbor seals come onshore in various parts of the park, particularly in Tomales Bay, Tomales Point, Double Point, Drakes Estero and Bolinas Lagoon.

Seals congregate within the Estero and Double Point and near the mouth of Tomales Bay on tidal sand bars off Dillon Beach.

The number of seals breeding at Point Reyes represents about 20 percent of the California mainland population.

Drakes Estero and the mouth to Drakes Estero are closed to kayaking and canoe users, surfers, wind surfers, abalone divers and other water sport users around harbor seal colonies in the area.